Judge temporarily blocks parts of tough new Kansas abortion law

A Kansas judge said Friday that two doctors who sued to stop a new state law restricting abortion have not presented a compelling enough case to prevent the law from taking effect on Monday, but she did agree to temporarily block two parts of the statute.

Shawnee County District Judge Rebecca W. Crotty issued a temporary injunction on a portion of the law that changed the definition of a medical emergency and another that required abortion providers to post a statement on their websites saying the state’s materials on abortion are "scientifically accurate."

The first part required women seeking an abortion to observe a 24-hour waiting period, but Crotty said the provision effectively eliminated "any meaningful exception for medical emergencies." Crotty said the second portion was a potential restriction on free speech.